In these days of heightened security, close protection is a growing industry, some estimates suggest that there could be up to 5,000 CPOs operating in the UK, but it’s an industry that has never been regulated in Britain. As with any industry or sector, there are cowboys and there are excellent examples of good practice. Now, with the introduction of regulation and licensing for CPOs, the good companies will flourish and the cowboys will be pushed out. But if you’re thinking of close protection as a career then there are things you need to know to keep you, and your money, out of the hands of the cowboys.
Corporate close protection is another sector that is really taking off and offers and alternative to the hostile environment people envisage close protections officers to work in.
 
Qualification
The Security Industry Authority (SIA) is a government body created to regulate and license the private security industry in England and Wales (and in Scotland from 1 November 2007).  They license individuals undertaking specific licensable activities within the private security industry and manage the Approved Contractor Scheme, which measures private security suppliers against independently assessed standards.
 
Since 20 March 2006 anyone in England and Wales operating as a CPO has been legally required to hold a valid SIA Close Protection licence. A Close Protection licence is required when someone is guarding one or more individuals against assault or against injuries that might be suffered in consequence of unlawful conduct of others. This applies if services are supplied under contract to another.
 
Although technically a private CPO operating outside Britain in say Iraq or Afghanistan does not require an SIA licence, it is becoming increasingly common for most major security companies to insist on this as a minimum requirement for UK or International employment. A licence currently costs £245 and is valid for three years.